Ingot-charging crane



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W H MORGAN INGOT CHARGING 01mm.

Patented Dec. 24-, 1895.

ANDREW EGRAHAM. PNOTD'UTNQWASMNGIUND 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

W.. H. MORGAN. v IN GOT CHARGING CRANE. No. 551,831. Patented Dec. 24; 1895.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM HENRY MORGAN, OF ALLIANCE, OHIO.

lNGOT-CHARGING CRANE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 551,831, dated December 24, 1895.

Application filed April 8, 1895. $erial Nx 544,986. (No model.)

T0 on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENRY MOR- GAN, of Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ingot Charging Cranes; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in ingot-charging cranes, and more particularly to the crane shown and described in application, Serial No. 534,562, filed by me January 11, 1895.

In the crane disclosed in the application above referred to devices actuated by air under pressure are employed for opening and closing the tongs to release or grasp an ingot.

The object of the present invention is to simplify the construction above referred to by dispensing with the pneumatic devices and utilizing the movements of the tongs-carrying frame for opening and closing the tongs.

My invention consists in the parts and combinations of parts, as will be more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a crane embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a'view in elevation, partly in section, of the bifurcated stem and ingot-tongs carrying and operating frame; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of the lower section of the stem, showing the tongs-operating mechanism and a portion of the tongscarrying frame.

A represents an elevated trackway of any suitable construction designed to receive and support the traveling bridge 13. The trackway A extends lengthwise the mill, thus practically including all the floorspace traversed by the ingot in its movements to and from the furnace.

The bridge 13 is mounted on wheels I), which latter traverse the rails 12, and is propelled by a motor and suitable gearing, which, however, form no part of my present invention. This bridge therefore moves lengthwise the mill, and is provided on its upper face with the rails 12 extending lengthwise the bridge.

Mounted on the bridge and adapted to travel lengthwise the same is the trolley O, which latter carries the ingot grasping and releasing devices to be hereinafter described. This trolley is mounted on four wheels 0 c, the former of which are the driving-wheels and are actuated by a motor and suitable gearing, which, however, form no part of this invention and are not shown in the drawings. By means of this motor and gearing, the trolley can be moved back and forth on the bridge, and as the bridge moves lengthwise the shop it will be seen that the devices carried by the trolley for grasping the ingot can be moved so as to engage an object located at any point on the floor-space within the confines of the trackway A.

Located on the trolley is one or a series of air-reservoirs E into which air is forced and stored by an air-pump of any approved form (not shown) for turning the pillar carrying the ingot-lifting arms. These reservoirs E are preferably located at one side of the trolley,while the air-compressing pump for charging the reservoirs with air is located on the opposite side of the trolley, thus distributing the weight over the surface of the trolley.

The stem E is suspended from upwardly-projecting bracket E, and is supported against lateral movement by the bracket'E and the bracket E located below the trolley, and is adapted to turn in its bearings and at the same time be prevented from any lateral or swinging movement. The stem E is provided near its upper end with a pinion E which latter meshes with the pinion E fast on the vertical shaft E This shaft E is mounted in bearings secured to the upper bracket E, and is provided at its lower end with a pinion, which latter is engaged by a rack-bar connected at its opposite ends to the piston-rod E connected with a piston working inside of cylinder E The piston-rod extends through both ends of the cylinder and is connected at its ends to the opposite ends of the rackbar. The rack-bar and pinion engaging it are fully described and shown in the application previously referred to and are not specifically claimed herein.

The cylinder is supplied with air by pipes leading thereto at both ends from the reservoir, and the admission of air thereto and its escape therefrom are regulated by the operator located in the cage to be hereinafter described. Thus it will be seen that by permitting the air to escape from one end of the cylinder, and opening the pipe at the opposite end for the admission of air, the stem can be rotated so as to swing the ingotcarrying tongs from one side to the other.

\Vhile I have disclosed pneumatic devices and gearing referred to as a means of rotating the stem, I do not wish to be understood as confining myself to such an arrangement, as it is evident that I could continue the shaft down to a point convenient to the operators cage and actuate the same by a handwheel and gearing.

The stem E is bifurcated at a point below the trolley, as shown in Fig. 2, and the lower ends of the members constituting the bifurcated section are provided with bearings F for the reception of a shaft F.

Mounted on or secured to the shaft F is the V-shaped fram e F (Clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.) This frame consists essentially of two side sections f 1", each of which is provided at its lower end with a bcarin g for the shaft F, on which the frame is mounted. The sides of this frame are connected by a top section f which latter is curved in the are of a circle concentric with the axis of shaft F. This top section is provided centrally with teeth f which latter mesh with the teeth of pinion G on shaft G, to be hereinafter referred to.

Mounted on shaft F between the bearings of frame I is the frame F (see Fig. 2) carryin g the ingot-graspin g frame F". This frame F consists essentially of two side girders rigidly secured at their inner ends to the frame F, and are connected below by a plate or table F the under face of which forms a rest or support for the ingot, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The inner f 'ame F is provided near its upper end with an elongated bearing f in which is mounted shaft Secured to this shaft, preferably in line with the vertical center of frame F, is the toothed segmentj, which latter engages teeth f on the under face of the top section f of the frame F The shaftf passes through an opening f in the side j" of frame F, and carries at its outer end a segment f havin g teeth on its lower edge which engage teeth f of the upright section of double segment F. This double segment F is in the form of a bell-crank lever and is provided at its angle with a bearing to receive the shaft F on which the double segment is mounted. The other or horizontal arm of the bell-crank is also toothed to engage the toothed arm g of the shaft G. This shaft G, together with the parallel shaft G is mounted in the frame F and each is provided on its outer end with an ingot-tongs F, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The two shafts l and G are coupled up by the segments (see Fig. 2) so as to turn in unison to grasp or release an ingot.

J ournaled in the bifurcated portion of the stem immediately above the upperedge of the toothed segmentf 2 is the shaft G, which latter carries pinion G, meshing with the teeth of the segment. This shaft also carries the larger pinion G which latter is actuated by the motor Gr mounted on a frame carried by the stem and projecting rearwardly therefrom. This frame consists of two brackets G with intermediate connections, the brackets being secured to the stem just below the point of bifurcation and above the top of segment f This frame carries the motor G" and the lattcr actuates the pinion G through suitable gearing.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by energizing themotor the segment f is turned, thus moving the frame F backward or forward according to the direction of rotation of the pinion G. As this frame F is moved backward or forward it transmits motion to the shafts G and G through the segments f f, shaft f and segmentsf and F and rocks the shafts, thus opening or closing the tongs to release or grasp an ingot. Thus in the operation of grasping an ingot the frame F would be moved in the proper direction to impart a grasping action to the tongs. The frame F would remain passive until the ingot had been firmly grasped by the tongs, and as the inward movement of the latter would then be blocked by the ingot the frame F would then be locked to frame F and move rea'rwardly with it. This rearward movement of the two frames necessarily elevates the frame F" carrying the ingot, and after the ingot has been lifted so that it is supported by the frame F' the weight of the ingot prevents any independent movement of the frames F F. By lowering the frame F until the ingot is again supported, a further forward rocking movement of the frames F F turns the shafts G G in a direction to release the ton F, thus leaving the apparatus free to be moved away from the ingot.

The frame F can be locked to the frame F when the apparatus is not in use oris moving without a load from place to place by the latch H, (see Fig. 3,) pivoted to frame I and engaging a catch carried by the frame F.

The ingot is preferably grasped at a point between its center and the end adjacent to the apparatus, thus leaving the heavier end of the ingot to the outside of the tongs F". Then as the frame F is turned upwardly or lifted by the mechanism before described the ingot pivots on the tongs until the shorter end thereof engages the under side of table F where it is supported until released by the pron By connecting the iugot-earrying frame and the frame carrying motor G to the stem, and locating them on diametrically-opposite sides of the stem, each operates to counterbalance the other, thus lessening the friction on the stem-supporting brackets when the machine is loaded.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the apparatus can take up an ingot from any part of the mill, convey it to a furnace, and deposit it therein, and can convey a heated ingot from the furnace and convey it to the rolls, all of the movements of the bridge, trolley, stem, and tongs being directly under the control of an operator located in the cage J This cage is secured to the stem and frame G and carries rheostat and switch-actuating devices which control the several motors employed for imparting movement to the several parts of the apparatus. Thus it will be seen that the ingot-carrying frame, the devices for actuating the ingot-tongs, and the operators cage are carried by the stem, and hence move with the stem, and, as the operators cage is behind the ingot-carrying frame, the operator has the carrying-tongs constantly in view.

It is evident that numerous slight changes might be resorted to in the relative arrangement of parts herein shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the exact construction of parts herein shown and described; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an ingot charging device the combination with a traveling bridge, of a stem depending from the bridge, ingot carrying frame carried by the stem below the bridge, and means whereby the upward and downward movements of the frame operate respectively to close and open the ingot tongs, substantially as set forth.

2. In an ingot charging device the combination with a traveling bridge, of a stem depending from the bridge, means for rotating the stem, ingot carrying frame carried bythe stem below the bridge and means whereby the upward and downward movements of the frame operate respectively to close and open the ingot tongs, substantially as set forth.

3. In an ingot charging device the combination with a traveling bridge and a traveling trolley thereon, of a depending vertical stem mounted on the trolley, ingot carrying frame carried by the stem below the bridge, and means whereby the upward and downward movements of the frame operate respectively to close and open the ingot tongs.

4. In an ingot charging device,the combination with a traveling bridge and a traveling trolley thereon, of a depending vertical stem mounted on the trolley, means for rotatingthe stem, and means whereby the upward and downward movements of the frame operate respectively to close and open the ingot tongs.

5. In an ingot charging crane, the combination with a traveling bridge, and a traveling trolley thereon, of a vertical depending stem mounted on the trolley, a tilting frame carrying ingot gripping tongs and means operated from a single source of power for moving the outer end of the frame vertically and for opening and closing the tongs.

6. In an ingot charging crane the combination with a traveling bridge, and a traveling trolley thereon, of a vertical depending stem mounted on the trolley, an operators cage and ingot carrying frame carried by the stem,ingot tongs carried by the frame, and means operated from a single source of power for tilting the frame and closing the tongs.

7. In an ingot charging crane the combination with an overhead traveling device, and a stem journaled thereto, of a frame journaled to said stem, an operators cage carried by the stem, ingot tongs carried by the frame, and a pinion and intermediate gearing for tilting the frame and opening and closing the tongs.

S. In an ingot charging crane, the combina tion with an overhead traveling device and a stem journaled thereto, of a frame journaled to the stem, an operators cage secured to the stem in rear of the frame, tongs carried by the frame, a pinion and intermediate gearing for moving the frame and opening and closing the tongs, and devices located adjacent to the cage for controlling the movements of the movable parts.

9. In an ingot charging device the combination with a frame mounted on a shaft, ingot tongs carried by said frame, a pinion, and intermediate gearing connecting the pinion and frame and tongs, for moving the frame and opening and closing the tongs.

10. In an ingot charging device, the combination with a support capable of being rotated, a shaft therein, a frame on said shaft, ingot tongs carried by the frame, a pinion, and gearing intermediate the pinion and frame for moving the frame and opening and closing the tongs, substantially as set forth.

11. In an ingot charging device the combination with a support, a shaft carried thereby, a frame carried by said shaft and carrying ingot tongs, of an actuating pinion, a frame carrying a toothed segment engaging the pinion, an inner frame also mounted on the shaft, a toothed segment pivoted to said inner frame, engaging teeth on the first mentioned frame, and gearing connecting said segments and the tongs shafts, the said gearing adapted to move the outer end of the tongs carrying frame vertically and open and close the ingot tongs.

12. In an ingot charging device the combination with a support, a shaft carried thereby and an actuating pinion, of an outer frame, an inner frame, a horizontal frame secured to the inner frame and carrying ingot tongs and gearing carried by the two frames and by the pinion for moving the horizontal frame vertically at its outer end and for opening and closing the tongs.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM HENRY MORGAN.

WVitnesses:

A. F. MORRIS, W. G. LLOYD. 

